Dr. Samer Kanaan was born and raised in Kalamazoo Michigan and completed his undergraduate studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
University Southern California
Fellowship - Cardiothoracic Surgery
Chairman - Dr. Vaughn Starnes
July 2004 - June 2007
Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
Residency - General Surgery
Chairman - Dr. Richard Bell
PGY 6-7 July 2002 - June 2004
PGY 1-3 June 1997 - June 2000
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Associate Surgeon:
Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Fellow:
Division Thoracic Surgery
Chairman – Dr. David Sugarbaker
Program Director – Dr. Raphael Bueno
July 2007 – June 2008
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
Research Fellow, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery
Principal Investigator - Dr. G. Alexander Patterson
PGY 4-5 July 2000 - June 2002
Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois M.D. August 1993 - June 1997
UndergraduateNorthwestern University, Evanston, Illinois B.A. Physics, Honors Program Medical Education September 1990 - June 1993
America's Top Surgeons Award in Thoracic Surgery 2016
By Consumers Research Council of America
America's Top Surgeons Award in Thoracic Surgery 2015
By Consumers Research Council of America
Marquis Who's Who in America Award for 2016
Marquis Who's Who in America Award for 2015
Marquis Who's Who in America Award for 2014
International Association of Healthcare Professionals Leading Physician of the World & Top Cardiothoracic and Minimally Invasive Surgeon in California 2014
Jackson and Coker Cum Laude “Doctor of the Year” Finalist, 2013
US NEWS and WORLD Report
TOP DOCTORS in AMERICA Award 2012, Thoracic Surgery
America's Top Surgeons Award in Thoracic Surgery 2014
By Consumers Research Council of America
America's Top Surgeons Award in Thoracic Surgery 2013
By Consumers Research Council of America
America's Top Surgeons Award in Thoracic Surgery 2012
By Consumers Research Council of America
America's Top Surgeons Award in Thoracic Surgery 2011
By Consumers Research Council of America
America's Top Surgeons Award in Thoracic Surgery 2010
By Consumers Research Council of America
Marquis Who’s Who in America Award for 2013
Marquis Who’s Who in America Award for 2012
Marquis Who’s Who in America Award for 2010
Service Excellence Award 2009, Queen of the Valley Medical Center Avatar Survey
Excellence in Patient Satisfaction Award 2011, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital (Ranked 100th percentile in patient satisfaction score throughout the country, Avatar Survey)
Excellence in Patient Satisfaction Award 2011, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital (Ranked 94th percentile in patient satisfaction score throughout the country, Avatar Survey)
Values in Action Excellence Award, St. Joseph Health System 2010
Values in Action Service Award, St. Joseph Health System 2012
*Individual National Research Service Award 2001National Institutes of Health, NHLBI, # F32 HL68401-01 "TGF ß1 Gene Transfer Reduces Acute Allograft Rejection"
Nominated, Susan Pearlman Award 2004 (Awarded to one graduating resident among all specialties at NMH who best exemplifies academic excellence, special leadership skills, and compassion for patients)
Finalist Best Teaching Resident Department of Surgery 1998, 2000
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society 1996
Obstetrics and Gynecology Beatrice Tucker Award Finalist 1996
Phi Beta Kappa, Vice President 1993
Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Society 1991
Orange County Medical Society - August 2016 - present
Medical Board of California Expert Reviewer, Thoracic Surgery 2013 – present
Tobacco Advisory Board, Napa County 2013 – present
American Medical Association 1993 - present
American College of Surgeons, Fellow Member 2012 - present
American College of Surgeons, Associate Fellow 2008 -2012
American College of Surgeons, Member Northern California Chapter 2008 - present
American College of Surgeons, Candidate Group 1999 - 2008
Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Candidate Member 2006 - 2009
Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Member 2009 - present
Bay Area Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Member 2011 - present
Napa County Medical Association 2008 - present
Board Member at Large 2009 - present
Treasurer 2012 – 2013
President Elect 2013-2015
President (anticipated) 2015-2017
California Medical Association 2004 - present
Young Physician Section Delegate to CMA House 2009 - present
American College of Chest Physicians, Affiliate Member 2005 - 2008
American College of Chest Physicians, Member 2008 - present
California Thoracic Society Member 2005 - present
California Medical License # A87174 – May 2004
Michigan Medical License #3653148 – August 2014
Federal DEA Number: BK8849614
American Board of Surgery Certification – February 2005
American Board of Thoracic Surgery Certification – June 2008
Participant in Molecular Testing in NSCLC Advisory Board, Chicago, July 2013.
S Kanaan. 2011 Cancer Program Annual Report: Focus on Lung Cancer 2000-2010. Queen of the Valley Medical Center, 2012.
S Kanaan. 2011 Cancer Program Annual Report: Focus on Lung Cancer 2000-2010. Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, 2012.
S Kanaan, C Baker, and V Starnes. Resection of Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysms in a Takayasu’s Arteritis Patient. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 85:1795-1796, 2008.
S Kanaan and T DeMeester. Fibrovascular Polyp of the Esophagus Causing Impaired Oxygenation. Diseases of the Esophagus, 20:453-454, 2007.
S Kanaan and I Nuno. Atrial Myxoma Presenting as Asthma in Adolescent. Internet Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Volume 8, Number 2, 2007.
S Kanaan, W Boswell, and J Hagen. Clinical and Radiographic Signs to Early Detection of Lobar Torsion and Subsequent Successful Intervention. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 132: 720-721, 2006.
S Kanaan, K Shamsuddin, M Silka, W Wells. Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Resection for Treatment of Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia in a 2-year-old Child. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 130:948-949, 2005.
SA Kanaan, BD Kozower, T Suda, N Daddi, T Tagawa, T Mohanakumar, GA Patterson. Intratracheal Adenovirus Mediated Gene Transfer is the Optimal Delivery Route for use in Experimental Lung Transplantation. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 124:1130-1136, 2002.
SA Kanaan, T Suda, BD Kozower, N Daddi, T Tagawa, T Mohanakumar, GA Patterson. Intratracheal Adenovirus Mediated Gene Transfer is the Optimal Delivery Route for use in Experimental Lung Transplantation. Surgical Forum, LII:122-123, 2001.
SA Kanaan, KM Murayama, LT Merriam, LG Dawes, JB Prystowsky, RV Rege, RJ Joehl. Risk Factors for Conversion of Laparoscopic to Open Cholecystectomy. Journal of Surgical Research, 106:20-24, 2002.
LT Merriam, SA Kanaan, LG Dawes, P Angelos, JB Prystowsky, RV Rege, and RJ Joehl. Gangrenous Cholecystitis: Analysis of Risk Factors and Experience with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Surgery, 126:680-686, 1999.
BD Kozower, SA Kanaan, SD Cassivi, GA Patterson. Potential for Gene Therapy in Lung Transplantation. Current Opinions of Organ Transplantation, 6:248-252, 2001.
N Daddi, SA Kanaan, T Suda, F D’Ovidio, B Kozower, T Tagawa, K Grapperhaus, JH Ritter, T Mohanakumar, GA Patterson. Recipient Intramuscular Administration of Naked Plasmid TGFb1 Attenuates Lung Graft Reperfusion Injury. Journal of Heart Lung Transplantation, 22:1323-1334, 2003.
BD Kozower, SA Kanaan, T Tagawa, T Suda, K Grapperhaus, N Daddi, EC Crouch, CM Doerschuk, and GA Patterson. Intramuscular Gene Transfer of Interleukin-10 Reduces Neutrophil Recruitment and Ameliorates Lung Graft Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. American Journal of Transplantation, 2:837-842, 2002.
T Tagawa, BD Kozower, SA Kanaan, N Daddi, M Muraoka, T Oka, JH Ritter, GA Patterson. Gene Transfer of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Improves the Function of Lung Allografts. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 127:1558-1563, 2004.
T Tagawa, BD Kozower, SA Kanaan, N Daddi, T Suda, GA Patterson. Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Gene Transfer Ameliorates Lung Graft Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 126:1147-1154, 2003.
BD Kozower, TD Sweitzer, SA Kanaan, T. Tagawa, SM Albeda, VR Muzykantov, GA Patterson. Vascular Immunotargeting to lung graft endothelium. Journal of Heart Lung Transplantation, 21:58,2002
BD Kozower, N Daddi, SA Kanaan, T Tagawa, T Suda, GA Patterson. Recipient intramuscular transfection of adenovirus interleukin-10 reduces lung graft ischemia-reperfusion injury. Surgical Forum, LII:120-122, 2001.
T Suda, T Tagawa, SA Kanaan, BD Kozower, N Daddi, T Mohanakumar, GA Patterson. Adenovirus Encoding Soluble TNF alpha Receptor Ig Co-transfection Prolongs Gene Expression in Rat Lung. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 126:1155-1161, 2003.
T Suda, N Daddi, Tagawa T, SA Kanaan, BD Kozower, JH Ritter, GA Patterson. Recipient Intramuscular Cotransfection of Transforming Growth Factor Beta1 and Interleukin 10 Ameliorates Acute Lung Graft Rejection. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 129:926-931, 2005.
N Daddi, T Suda, F D’Ovidio, SA Kanaan, T Tagawa, K Grapperhaus, BD Kozower, JH Ritter, NS Yew, T Mohanakumar, GA Patterson. Recipient Intramuscular Cotransfection of Naked Plasmid TGFb1 and IL-10 Ameliorates Lung Graft Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 124:259-269, 2002.
T Tagawa, T Suda, N Daddi, BD Kozower, SA Kanaan, T Mohanakumar, GA Patterson. Low Dose Endobronchial Gene Transfer Ameliorates Lung Graft Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 123:795-802, 2002.
SA Kanaan, KM Murayama, LT Merriam, LG Dawes, JB Prystowsky, RV Rege, and RJ Joehl. Risk Factors for Conversion of Laparoscopic to Open Cholecystectomy. Abstract, Association of VA Surgeons, Twenty-fifth Annual Surgical Symposium, Atlanta, Georgia, May 6, 2001. * Awarded with Best Clinical Presentation.
SA Kanaan, T Suda, B Kozower, N Daddi, T Tagawa, T Mohanakumar, and GA Patterson. Intratracheal Adenovirus Mediated Gene Transfer is the optimal Delivery Route for use in Experimental Lung Transplantation. Abstract, American College of Surgeons, Eighty-seventh Clinical Congress, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 10, 2001.
AD Vaca, S Kanaan, IN Nuño, J Szenohradszki, and PD Lumb. Huge Right Atrial Myxoma. Abstract, 43rd Annual Western Anesthesia Residents Conference, May 5, 2006.
LT Merriam, SA Kanaan, LG Dawes, P Angelos, JB Prystowsky, RV Rege, and RJ Joehl. Gangrenous Cholecystitis: Analysis of Risk Factors and Experience with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Abstract, Central Surgical Association, Fifty-sixth Annual Meeting, St. Louis, Missouri, March 5, 1999.
BD Kozower, N Daddi, SA Kanaan, T Tagawa, T Suda, GA Patterson. Intramuscular gene transfer of interleukin-10 reduces lung transplant ischemia-reperfusion injury. Abstract, New England Surgical Society, Eighth Annual Research Presentation Day, Boston, Massachussets, May 18, 2001.
BD Kozower, N Daddi, SA Kanaan, T Tagawa, T Suda, GA Patterson. Recipient intramuscular transfection of adenovirus interleukin-10 reduces lung graft ischemia-reperfusion injury. Abstract, American College of Surgeons, Eighty-seventh Clinical Congress, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 10, 2001.
BD Kozower, TD Sweitzer, SA Kanaan, T Tagawa, SM Albeda, VR Muzykantov, GA Patterson. Vascular Immunotargeting to Lung Graft Endothelium. Abstract, International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, Twenty-second Annual Meeting, Washington DC, April 11, 2002.
BD Kozower, TD Sweitzer, SA Kanaan, T Tagawa, SM Albeda, VR Muzykantov, GA Patterson. Catalase Immunotargeting Reduces Lung Transplant Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Abstract, American College of Surgeons, Eighty-eight Clinical Congress, San Francisco, California, October 8, 2002.
N Daddi, T Suda, F D’Ovidio, T Tagawa, B Kozower, SA Kanaan, NS Yew, K Grapperhaus, T Mohanakumar, and GA Patterson. Recipient Intramuscular Cotransfection of Naked Plasmid TGFb1 and IL-10 Ameliorates Lung Graft Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Abstract, American Association of Thoracic Surgery, Eighty-first Annual Meeting, San Diego, California, May 8, 2001.
S Kanaan, C Ducko. Diaphramatic Pacing. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th edition, Online, June 18, 2008.
S Kanaan, MT Jaklitsch. Pleural Masses. In MI Lewis, RJ McKenna (Eds), Medical Management of the Thoracic Surgery Patient. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier, 2009, pp. 432-438.
S Kanaan, DA Bambini. (2000), Patent Ductus Arteriosus. In RM Arensman, DA Bambini, PS Almond (Eds.), Pediatric Surgery. Georgetown, TX: Landes Bioscience, 2000, pp. 352-355.
SA Kanaan, BD Kozower, SD Cassivi, GA Patterson. (2001), Gene Therapy for Lung Transplantation. In SM Albeda (Ed.), Gene Therapy in Lung Disease. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, September 2002, pp. 457-473.
SA Kanaan, MJ Liptay. Acute and Chronic Mediastinal Infections. In TW Shields (Ed.), General Thoracic Surgery. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, October 2004.
SA Kanaan. Esophageal Cancer Update. CME Grand Rounds, Queen of the Valley Medical Center, September 2013. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer and CT screening. Napa Rotary Club, March 2013. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer and CT screening. CME Grand Rounds, Northbay Medical Center, November 2012. (Faifield, California)
SA Kanaan. Thoracic Nursing Lecture. Queen of the Valley Medical Center, September 2012. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer and CT screening. CME Grand Rounds, Petaluma Valley Hospital, September 2012. (Petaluma, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer and More. Meet The Doctors Lecture Series, The Meadows, June 2012. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Thoracic Nursing Lecture. Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, 4 West, June 2012. (Santa Rosa, California)
SA Kanaan. Thoracic Nursing Lecture. Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, 3 East, June 2012. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer and More. Meet The Doctors Lecture Series, The Springs of Napa Valley, April 2012. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Management of Postraumatic Retained Hemothorax. Trauma Conference, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, March 2012. (Santa Rosa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer and CT screening. CME Grand Rounds, Queen of the Valley Medical Center, February 2012. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer and More. Meet The Doctors Lecture Series, The Meadows of Napa Valley, November 2011. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer and More. Meet The Doctors Lecture Series, Vista Sonoma Retirement Home, November 2011. (Santa Rosa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer Update. CME Grand Rounds, Petaluma Valley Hospital, July 2011. (Petaluma, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer Update. Alliance of Aging Guest Speaker, Aegis Living Center, November 2010. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. The Importance of Documentation: The Medical and Legal Issues. CME Grand Rounds, Queen of the Valley Medical Center, September 2010. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Smoking Cessation. CME Grand Rounds, Regional Medical Center of San Jose, August 2010. (San Jose, California)
SA Kanaan. Health Hearts and Healthy Lungs. Synergy Wellness Lecture for California School Administrators Health and Wellness Institute, Meritage Resort, July 2010. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. To Drink or Not to Drink. Synergy Wellness Lecture for California School Administrators Health and Wellness Institute, Meritage Resort, July 2010. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer Update. CME Grand Rounds, Sonoma Valley Hospital, June 2010. (Sonoma, California)
SA Kanaan. Thoracic Surgery. CME for OR Nurses, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, March 2010. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Queen of the Valley Goes Tobacco Free. Nursing Lecture Series (5), Queen of the Valley Medical Center, February 17th,19th, and 22nd 2010. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Surgical Management of Thoracic Diseases. Critical Care Potpourri, Napa Valley AACN Chapter, February 2010. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Thoracic Surgery. CME for OR Nurses, Queen of the Valley Medical Center, January 2010. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Queen of the Valley Goes Tobacco Free. CME Grand Rounds, Queen of the Valley Medical Center, January 2010. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer Update. CME Grand Rounds, Healdsburg District Hospital, December 2009. (Healdsburg, California)
SA Kanaan. Healthy Hearts, Healthy Lungs: How to Live Longer and Better. Napa Fresh Aire Festival Lecture, August 2009. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer Update. Pharmadura Lecture, July 2009. (Santa Rosa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer Update. Pharmadura Lecture, June 2009. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer Staging – NCCN guidelines review, Queen of the Valley Medical Center, June 2009. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer Update. CME Grand Rounds, Queen of the Valley Medical Center, May 2009. (Napa, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer Update. CME Grand Rounds, Veterans Home California, April 2009. (Yountville, California)
SA Kanaan. Mediastinal Staging. Lung Tumor Board Conference, Northbay Healthcare, March 2009. (Fairfield, California)
SA Kanaan. Lung Cancer Update. CME Grand Rounds, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, March 2009. (Santa Rosa, California)
SA Kanaan. Thymoma. Division Thoracic Surgery Conference, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, April 2008. (Boston, Massachusetts)
SA Kanaan. Pulmonary Infections. Division Thoracic Surgery Conference, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, February 2008. (Boston, Massachusetts)
SA Kanaan. Carcinoid Tumors. Division Thoracic Surgery Conference, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, October 2007. (Boston, Massachusetts)
SA Kanaan. Stage IIIA Lung Cancer. Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, Evanston Hospital, March 14, 2000. (Evanston, Illinois)
SA Kanaan. Esophageal Cancer. Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, March 23, 2004.
SA Kanaan.Trauma Case Presentation – Pneumonectomy, Chicago Metropolitan Trauma Society, April 14, 2004.(Chicago, Illinois)
